The 2016 NWHOF Minnesota Chapter To Honor 8 New Members

The Minnesota Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame will honor eight new members on April 23, 2016, at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Austin, Minn.

OUTSTANDING AMERICAN:

JAMES RASCHKE: This former Nebraska state high school champion, Big 8 Conference champion for Nebraska, 1963 World Greco-Roman Bronze Medalist, and 1964 US Olympic Team member went on to have an outstanding 30-Year professional wrestling career with the AWA and WWE, where he was known as Baron Von Raschke or “The Claw Master”. Jim was inducted into the Alan Rice Greco-Roman Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2014.

COURAGE AWARD:

NOTE: Earl Stottler will be honored in Benson, MN at Country Inn & Suites on October 10th, 2015. View more information.

EARL STOTTLER: Moorhead State’s first national champion in 1961 had an outstanding 28-year officiating and coaching career. Earl had a successful program at Starbuck, MN and Minnewaska for 16 Years. He has battled major heart problems along with a severe stroke but has continued to take one step at a time and be a role model and an inspiration to family, wrestlers, coaches, and friends.

LIFETIME SERVICE TO WRESTLING:

DR. BRUCE J. ANDERSON: DR. Anderson has given back to the sport of wrestling for over 35 years. A former Fridley wrestler, BJ has been the team doctor for The University of Minnesota football and wrestling teams, and for Augsburg College. Bruce serves as the Medical Advisor for MN/USA Wrestling and the Minnesota State High School League for our sport.

CHARLIE COFFEE: Charlie was a long-time Bloomington Lincoln and Jefferson high school coach. He coached and officiated for 40 Years. A former All-American wrestler and Team Captain for the University of Minnesota, Charlie was an outstanding international Greco-Roman wrestler winning national championships.

JOHN DE LOZIER: This Winona high state runner-up and NAIA national runner-up at Winona State had an outstanding 39-Year coaching career at Bertha-Hewitt and ROCORI (Cold Spring Area). He led eight of his teams to the MSHSL State Tournament with three top-four state place finishes.

RICK KELVINGON: Rick was an NAIA and NCAA Division I place winner for Moorhead State. He was a Pennsylvania high school state champion. Rick coached for 33 Years at Olivia and BOLD with outstanding successes. Rick also served as Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association President for a two-year term.

TIM SHIELS: Wrestling for his father and Hall of Fame Coach Dick Shiels at Faribault High School, Tim has had an outstanding 35-year career as a top official, and former coach at St. Olaf College. Tim has officiated 13 NCAA Division I tournaments and was recently named as the Chairman of the NCAA Wrestling Officials Committee.

BOB THORSON: A 41-Year veteran coach for Fertile-Beltrami High School, Bob had highly successful teams. Coach Thorson’s team earned four trips to the MSHSL Dual Meet Tournament. He was an assistant coach for three teams that went to state finishing second and sixth.

Ticket information can be obtained from Spencer Yohe syohe@acegroup.cc or 320-766-1934.